:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/GEKX77H5OVCOHLG6AQIC3W2KWU.jpg "Joe Biden spoke with Volodimir Zelensky to begin international support for Ukraine")
US President Joe Biden spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky shortly after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine, the White House said Wednesday night in Washington.
In a statement, Biden reported this call, in which Zelensky said he asked him to call other world leaders to speak out “clearly” against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his “blatant aggression” on Ukraine and remain next to the Ukrainian people.
Biden “just spoke with Zelenskiy” and promised him that he will work for international condemnation of the Russian attack, in addition to “severe sanctions” against Moscow for this military intervention, a spokesman said, adding that more details will be given later.
The conversation was confirmed by Zelensky through a message sent on his Telegram channel.
“A minute ago, I had a conversation with President Biden. The United States has already begun to mobilize international support . Today we need the peace of each one of you. They should stay home if possible,” according to the Ukrinform news agency.
:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/LZ4XGZRGE3MCHB2CGBLXRZ6TNQ.jpg "Joe Biden spoke with Volodimir Zelensky to begin international support for Ukraine 1")
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sent a message to the Ukrainian people through his Telegram channel
Prior to the call between the leaders, Biden condemned the attack ordered by Vladimir Putin on Ukrainian territory.
The president denounced on Wednesday night in a statement the “unjustified attack” by Russia against Ukraine, after his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, announced a “military operation” in defense of the separatists in the east of that country.
Biden called the attack “unprovoked and unjustified” by Russia and stressed that partners and allies “will respond in a united and decisive manner.”
“The world will hold Russia accountable” for the attack on Ukraine.
“President Putin has chosen (to launch) a premeditated war that will cause catastrophic human suffering and loss,” Joe Biden said in the text. Russia “is responsible for the death and destruction that this attack will cause,” he insisted in the text published by the White House.
“We will coordinate with our NATO allies to ensure a strong and united response to deter any aggression against the Alliance. Jill and I are praying tonight for the brave and proud people of Ukraine,” she said.
The president added that the Russian attack on Ukraine will cause “catastrophic loss of life.”
Biden explained that he will meet with his G7 counterparts on Thursday morning and will speak with the American people “to announce the additional consequences” that the United States and partners will impose on Russia for “this unnecessary act of aggression against Ukraine.”